During a recent conference of British orchestras, the British Minister of Culture, Ed Vaizey, clearly asked the delegates of the world of symphonic music to work more on the diversity in their activities. To conclude the event, Minister declared: “We have got to stop making excuses. This is not political correctness. It is essential. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to see people from all our communities reflected in our arts whether in the concert hall the cinema or watching television. As Idris Elba said, the talent is out there. “

This purpose actually reminded a recent speech of an actor (Idris Elba) that asked in front of the Parliament in London for more diversity in the audio-visual domain. When applied to classical music, not only in Britain, we can note that the situation is rather rigorous, or even disastrous. Already very outdated on the question of equality of men and women (how many women chief conductors do we see leading the orchestras on the international level?), the world of classical music is basically on the edge of total non-diversity. Without mentioning the public, just one look at the members of the orchestras is enough to observe it with bitterness. Otherwise, isn’t it evident that the best current inclusive music project was born in Venezuela, outside of the “Euro-Atlantic space” which is the economic center of the classical music business?  That is as if the professionals were blinded, and it only confirms a sad lack of creativity. The projects inspired by El Sistema develop rapidly all over the world (for example in France with the Passeurs d’Arts) but it isn’t rapid enough considering the importance of this purpose. 

Nevertheless, besides the purely social questioning, the professionals of the classical music world have to aim their attention to this matter; it is not only question of ethics but also a question of developing strategy for institutions whose public is aging and is in decrease. 

Contrary to a museum that is more static in its content, music remains the universal language, the source of emotions and discoveries. However, one has to admit that the museums are often more creative as for the innovation than the orchestras. From now on, the development of all projects in favor of diversity has to become the priority of the cultural activities and an important part of every season, not only an infill between two productions.  

Pierre-Jean Tribot